Want to move to Airdrie? Maybe you won’t have to as Airdrie could be coming to you. At the November 18, 2013 meeting, Town Council gave first reading to the Waterbridge Master Area Structure Plan. This massive proposed development covers 2400 acres on the west side of Chestermere. At buildout the developers envisage over 43,000 new residents in this area. As of 2012, Chestermere’s population was approximately 15,000 people. The easiest way of thinking about this is to imagine dropping Airdrie (population ~46,000) into 4 square miles on the west side of town. The development is predominantly residential with some commercial space and a proposed light industrial area on the north side which will not be built unless stormwater problems can be solved. There was no mention of moving the industrial area (with the local jobs it could generate) to the part that would be developed first.
A development this size has huge implications for the character of Chestermere. The current easy commute into Calgary could be a thing of the past. Remember, the provincial government is broke and there are no guarantees there will be money to improve the roads ahead of development. Think of Airdrie the last few years with the gong show at the highway interchanges. Unless we get more business out here we’d just be a much bigger bedroom community for Calgary. On the other hand, it could also bring benefits to Chestermere as the expanded tax base could allow for new public facilities. One thing is certain though: Chestermere would definitely not be a small town anymore.
To her credit, Mayor Matthews made a point of instructing staff to make sure this proposal is widely advertised. There is supposed to be an Open House on December 5 at the Rec Centre, 5:30 to 8:30 PM. If you care about what Chestermere is going to look like in the future please attend, form your own opinion, and give the town and the developers your feedback. Watch the Anchor and the Town website for further developments.
Pete Tindall
403-273-5108
Proposed Waterbridge Development Could Change Chestermere Forever
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We take possession of our new home in Chestermere this February and THIS is not even close to what we bargained for! IF this development moves ahead the “small town vibe” will be gone forever. The lake will quickly become overcrowded, traffic will be a nightmare and I would expect my home to decrease in value. This development should be fought at all cost. The mayor is here to protect the town, not grow it into just another sprawling Calgary suburb!!